Those earlier cases were consolidated even though the ICJ rules did not then expressly provide for consolidation. However both of those consolidated cases were heard in a single hearing and decided in a single opinion. Article 47 of the ICJ rules now provide that the ICJ "may at any time direct that the proceedings in two or more cases be joined" and that the Court has "a broad margin of discretion." Exercising that discretion here, the ICJ has joined these two cases involving Costa Rica and Nicaragua.